Adolescent fertility rates in a rural community in north-western Zambia: a retrospective study. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jere, Mwansa
• Is Part Of: Tropical doctor. Volume 48:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Adolescent -- fertility -- rural -- Africa -- Zambia -- pregnancy -- teenagers -- birth rate; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing Countries -- Periodicals; Tropical Medicine -- Periodicals; Tropische geneeskunde; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1177/0049475518776821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0049-4755

Abstract

Adolescent fertility rate is defined as the number of births per 1000 in women aged 15–19 years. These rates are highest in sub-Saharan Africa. National data from Zambia suggest the rate has declined from 179.6 in 1960 to 87.9 in 2015. A retrospective study was performed at Chitokoloki Mission Hospital using the hospital delivery registers during January 2008 to December 2015. In this period, 945 (20.81%) births were to adolescent mothers. As morbidity is significant in this vulnerable group, strategies to reduce pregnancy rates among these young girls is much-needed.